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 Topic: Gutted (and this is my first post)
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04/10/2015 at 10:45pm
Location: Kent
Outfit: 2016 Hornet S6A and awning
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Joined: 26/9/2015 Standard Member
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After an absence of 20+ years from the camping scene, I thought it would be a good idea to take it up again as I used the flexible working rules to drop down to a three day week giving me a 4 day weekend every week. Meant having to start from scratch again and buying all the ancillary kit. Since there are three of us who like space I bought an Outwell Hornet L with the awning and shopped around for all the other various needed bits and pieces - prices are remarkably good at this time of year.
Tent and Awning were delivered a few days ago. Decided to "test drive" it in the garden today. Laid the footprint, unravelled the tent did all the checks (per the video) - external valves closed, internal valves open etc. Tried the supplied manual pump - no impact on the thing whatsoever and really hard work. Switched to a 12v sidewinder pump which has proved reliable for boats and things and all looked good - air beams started to firm up nicely. Daughter popped inside and lifted the beams and the shape started to form. When she stopped lifting, parts of it folded and looked like a giant insect. This was the case even with the two of us lifting the beams while the pump was working. Then the pump failed. Stuck in another electric pump, excellent air flow into the intake but the tent wouldn't rise beyond half inflated. Some of the beams were rigid but the rear and centre just wouldn't lift even though it was clear that air was getting into those beams. Couldn't hear any leaking air sounds from any part. Decided to get another decent pump to replace the sidewinder so went to the local camping supplier and bought the Sevvylor 12v jobbie at £40 as it fits the bill. Returned home, plugged the pump in, LED display came on, set the pressure gauge, switched on and it just made a farting sound for less than a second and reset itself to zero. All power connections, fuses etc checked and OK but I can only get a fart from the thing even when tried on other inflatables. The sun was shining and it was a nice day but 5 hours later, I gave up and packed the tent back into its bag (that was actually the easiest bit of the whole exercise). I am wondering if all this a message from "above" to give up. I will be phoning the supplier in the morning and haven't a clue what happens now - It was bought online so a good distance is involved and cannot pop round with it to a local store (another lesson learned). I photographed the scenario and I will also have to go round to the camping shop to see about the pump but I suppose that is one of the benefits of having a Monday off. Has anybody had a similar experience? The good thing is that I didn't leave it until a visit to a camp site to discover the problems but I have already (and probably stupidly) booked and paid for a weekend at a site in a fortnight's time. As the title says, I'm gutted and I haven't even tested the awning yet).
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07/10/2015 at 8:52am
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Joined: 29/6/2008 Diamond Member 
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Re the Pump, check the current, my Ring compressor Pump sucks 144watt which is around 12amp and more like 15amp on startup, I have a Linear 10-14amp mains PSU which just about powers it, but it can struggle under load, it also works better of the car sockets.
Many cars only have 10amp supply to the sockets, although these days newer cars will be mostly 20amp, as many cars now don't carry a Spare Wheel, but have a Pump Compressor and a Tube of Gunk, which is suppose to sort out your flat tyre but rarely does.
Why not stick with the Pump you have, it is obviously a powerful one.
You can get hold of a decent linear transformer that will do 15amp, probably around £30, even a Switch Moder PSU would do, but they tend not to be as reliable as Linear.
If the Pump is going to be to much for the car sockets, although from what you have said that worked, you could always power the Pump directly of the car battery, or even invest in a Leiusure battery.
Post last edited on 07/10/2015 09:02:36
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